Due to the recent concerns surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and following the recommendations made by local, state, and nation health officials, the Pathway to Adventure Council has made the decision to close all service centers and cancel or postpone all in-person Council, District, and Unit events beginning at close-of-business on Friday, March 13, 2020, and lasting through March 30, 2020.

This in-person cancellation includes all council, district, and unit events, including roundtable, meetings, trainings, and activities, including Blue and Gold Banquets. All service centers (Chicago, La Grange, Arlington Heights, and Highland (the temporary location for the Munster office)) will be closed to foot traffic, but staff will be available via email or phone call. We plan to reopen the Service Centers beginning March 31. The Scout Shops will also be closed. Units and leaders who need supplies from the Scout Shop are encouraged to shop online at www.scoutshop.org

At this time, we continue to prepare for summer camp and look forward to welcoming all Scout families to our camps this summer. The scheduled leader meetings for Scouts BSA camp will be held online. Leaders will receive more information regarding these meetings via email.

Please note that council and district activities and events that are being canceled during this time will be refunded. Please allow up to 15 days for refunds to be credited back to your account.

While all in-person events are cancelled, there are still plenty of ways that you can continue Scouting:
  • Work on advancements, merit badges (consider the Public Health Merit Badge), Cub Scout Adventures, or the Emergency Preparedness and the Cyber Chip Awards. Take some time to work through the requirements that can be completed at home. For merit badges, work with your merit badge counselor via email, Facetime, etc. (remember Youth Protection training – no one-on-one communication between youth and adult).
  • Do a good turn daily. Look for ways to contribute to your community, while staying safe.
  • Be sure to stay social while being secluded. Reach out to the families in your unit. Stay connected, even if it’s just to say hi via a phone call or Facetime.
  • As a unit leader, now is a good time to take online trainings, including renewing your Youth Protection Training.
  • Unit committees can begin planning your next program year. What activities do you want to schedule?
  • Volunteer meetings can also be conducted via phone, email, or video conference.

BSA Policies to Prevent the Spread of Illness
The Boy Scouts of America continues to have policies and procedures in place that help protect participants from contracting an illness at large Scouting events. These include the Annual Health and Medical Record and the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist .

Everyday Preventive Measures
Even with those important policies in place, it is critical that we all take these everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:
  • Stay home when you feel sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands before and after doing so. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve/elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
  • Do not share personal items such as cups, water bottles, eating utensils, etc.
  • Avoid shaking hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should isolate and not attend any Scouting events. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Additional Resources can be found on CDC's website using these links:

As Scouts and Scouters, it is our duty to Be Prepared. We also must not panic while making the best decisions possible for our Scouting programs and its members. Our council leadership is committed to being diligent with regular communications as this situation evolves. As this is a constantly evolving situation, please regularly monitor our website for updates. Thank you for your commitment to Scouting.